Etihad Airways opens new premium lounge in Sydney

Etihad Airways today officially opened its new First and Business Class Lounge at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport – the airline’s first in Australia and the newest addition to its collection of premium lounges worldwide.

Located
in the international terminal’s Pier C, adjacent to Gate 51, the new lounge
offers guests a welcoming and relaxing environment with quality furnishings and
a contemporary design inspired by Etihad Airways flagship lounges in Abu Dhabi.

James
Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, who was in
Sydney for the ribbon-cutting ceremony said: “The opening of the new First and
Business Class Lounge in Sydney is yet another milestone in our commitment to
Australia and demonstrates the importance we place on delivering
‘best-in-class’ at every point in the guests’ journey.”

The new
Sydney lounge has been designed around the principles of style, space and
serenity to ensure that guests enjoy a comfortable environment in which they
can relax, re-energise, dine, work or be entertained before they board their
flight.

“It’s all
about offering an experience in the lounge that not only sets the tone for but
is also consistent with the flight experience ahead. I’m confident the
wonderful team of hospitality professionals we have in our Sydney lounge,
together with our check-in staff and guest service agents, will ensure we
deliver on that promise,” Mr Hogan said.

Set over
two natural light-filled levels and an area of 798m2, the Sydney
lounge offers a range of facilities catering to the diverse needs of today’s
business and leisure travellers. This includes state-of-the-art business
amenities with Apple computers; complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity; multi-zone
electrical and USB power outlets; dedicated male, female and accessible
bathrooms with shower facilities; a children’s play
room; male and female prayer rooms; and comfortable armchairs in the relaxation zone.

Lounge
guests will also be treated to Etihad Airways signature food and beverage
service with a choice of restaurant-style a la carte dining and a sumptuous
buffet. Wines from local Australian producers complement an extensive
selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including beers, champagne,
aperitifs, spirits and liqueurs.

The Sydney lounge is
open to Etihad Airways Diamond First Class and Pearl Business Class guests and
qualifying members of the Etihad Guest loyalty program. Virgin Australia
Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold and Platinum members and Virgin Australia Business
Class guests flying to Abu Dhabi are eligible to access the lounge pre-flight.
Qualifying guests of other codeshare and partner airlines may also use the
lounge when flying on Etihad Airways or Virgin Australia operated Sydney-Abu
Dhabi services.

The new First and
Business Class Lounge in Sydney complements premium lounge facilities in Abu
Dhabi, Dublin, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Manchester, Paris and Washington DC.
New lounges are planned for Los Angeles, New York (JFK) and Melbourne over the
next 12 to 18 months.

Etihad Airways commenced services to Sydney in
March 2007 and today offers twice daily non-stop flights together in
partnership with Virgin Australia. The route is served by a mixed fleet of
three-class Airbus A340-600 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The Sydney route will
be among the first in the Etihad Airways network to experience The Residence by
Etihad™ - the world’s most luxurious living space in the air – when the UAE
flag carrier commences scheduled A380 services to Sydney in June 2015.

Key
facts & features of Etihad Airways’ new Sydney First and Business Class
Lounge